Cape Town
It's over 21s only at this hip nightclub specialising in underground electronic beats. The cover charge varies from R50-100.
Must-see nightlife in Southern Africa
Cape Town
The Devil's Peak brewery has split De Oude Welgemoed, a 350-year-old Cape Dutch property, into three sections: the Alpha Beer Hall, the Manor and the…
Bloemfontein
This rowdy township-style bar sits with in the Emoya Estate, a lifestyle complex with a hotel, private game reserve (white rhinos and giraffes included),…
Harare
One of the few recommended drinking holes in downtown Harare, this pub is notable for its selection of tap beers brewed on site by Bespoke Brewers. It…
Cape Town
Somewhere between a cosy neighbourhood pub and a hip Boho bar, Village Idiot is a convivial spot for a cocktail or a pint of craft beer watched over by…
Free State
Just a few kilometres outside of Philippolis, fronting a tiny ghost town called Waterkloof, this microbrewery proudly serves its signature Karoobossie and…
Cape Town
With courtyard seating and a cosy upstairs area, GCC is a laid-back place to sip boutique wines or locally produced gin and tonic. The bar is aligned with…
KwaZulu-Natal
Don't be fooled: the kitschy Wild West theme at this bar and restaurant is no joke. The most famous regular at this bar is a donkey that roams around the…
Cape Town
It's hard to beat the views of Table Mountain and Devil's Peak from the wrap-around, plant-potted balcony of this appealing and very Woodstock restaurant…
Malawi
This cafe with two-tone furniture is the local hangout of choice – use the wi-fi and enjoy a cafetière or cappuccino of the strong 'n' sweet local coffee…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Every city has a little corner of Havana, and this is one of the bars touting cocktails and revolution in the Cape Town area. This comrade has been around…
Free State
When you walk in, this place kinda looks like the tired entryway to a community centre. So it's a surprise when you are served hands-down the best…
Johannesburg
In a neighbourhood filled with university students, Artivist proudly bills itself as a bar for the working class (ie. working professionals). Artivist…
Johannesburg
Mellow live jazz music is the background sound to this slick and sophisticated bar and restaurant hidden behind the Hallmark Hotel. Reservations are…
Cape Town
Tucked away in the courtyard of what used to be a mortuary (but set to move to the same building's upper floor), this secret little bar is the perfect…
Drakensberg Escarpment
Owner Helen bakes everything herself and has even invented two cakes: the Middle Eastern Delight (featuring almonds, Turkish apricots, nutmeg and cloves,…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
There's regular entertainment at this convivial British-style watering hole with a good selection of craft beers and pub grub. Come for karaoke on Tuesday…
Cape Town
As well as being a rather cool cafe serving Deluxe roasted coffee and various snacks (including vegan all-day breakfast dishes), this space serves as a…
Lesotho
Maseru's top nightlife spot is sandwiched between the Maseru Mall and a children's carnival area, and there's good times to be had here. The divey main…
Lilongwe
With woodcarvings on its shaded veranda, this tucked-away chill-out den (find it off Mzimba St) offers coffee, cocktails, board games and dishes from…
Victoria Falls (town)
Unquestionably the best sundowner spot in town; enjoy a gin-and-tonic on its outdoor terrace overlooking distant animals on the plains of Zambezi National…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
If you’re down this way – say, after a drive along Chapman’s Peak Dr – the bar above the Red Herring restaurant is a pleasant place for a craft beer and a…
Johannesburg
What used to be a grand colonial hotel is now hipster central and epitomises the contemporary swagger of Braamfontein. By day it's a popular pub, known…
Lilongwe
This Scottish-owned watering hole faces Buchanan's Grill in a leafy compound, with tables outside and a glass bar and purple walls within. It's popular…
Johannesburg
Combine your wine sipping in Maboneng with some contemporary art at this bar, which shares a building with the gallery Agog (www.agog.co.za). As well as…
Free State
This sprawling alcove consists of a small courtyard, a bar and back patio off Bree St. A local favourite, it’s good for a refreshing ale after an…
Livingstone
A favourite watering hole for expats and tourists alike, this deck bar (complete with swimming pool) has a spectacular location overlooking the Zambezi…
Johannesburg
This long-running two-storey English-style pub on the edge of burgeoning 4th Ave holds its own against trendier upstarts. Upstairs it serves good pub grub…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
This bistro and bakery is one of the loveliest belles on Camps Bay's seafront strip, and a whole lot more relaxed and less pretentious than some of its…
Cape Town
Owner-brewer Steve Peel takes inspiration from his time at the South African Antarctic research station and brings a nautical flair to this great little…
Cape Town
Devil's Peak Brewing Company make some of South Africa's best craft beers. Their taproom and restaurant provide a panoramic view up to Devil's Peak itself…
Cape Town
Ms Kefuoe Sedia has come a long way since opening a six-seater pub in her front lounge in 1990. This spiffy, two-level, 140-seat place, with mellow jazz…
Johannesburg
Like many of Jo'burg's hip craft cocktail bars, the Little Fox is intentionally tricky to find. In a small alley around the corner from the popular…
Durban
Young and old, black and white, hip and square: Connor's Pub on popular Mackeurtan Ave attracts Durbanites from all strata of society. There's nothing…
Johannesburg
The shining light of Louis Botha’s faded nightlife, the Radium, established in 1929, is reputed to be Jo'berg's oldest boozer. The memorabilia gives the…
Cape Town
Primarily this is a laundry, which is hidden behind a shopfront festooned with colourful, arty whatnots and wine, as the place triples up as a cafe-bar,…
Green Point & Waterfront
Drive past the smelly fish-processing factories to discover this glitzy mega-club and restaurant, arranged around a small, fake beach with a glass-sided…
Johannesburg
Bean There Coffee Co., one of the first coffee shops in South Africa to source 100% single-origin African coffee, has its flagship location at 44 Stanley…
Green Point & Waterfront
The German-themed food offering here is unlikely to win any awards, but it's a great spot to stop for an icy stein of beer. Local and international brews…
Cape Town
A small crowd hangs out at this gay bar after work to enjoy drinks by the open front porch. However, from 11pm Wednesday to Saturday, the doors are closed…
